[1] He was educated at Colet Court, Woodbridge School and St John's College, Oxford,[1] where he was a friend of Kingsley Amis.

In 1974, du Cann played a part in the events surrounding the elevation of Margaret Thatcher to the leadership of the Conservative Party.

On 14 October, the executive of the 1922 Committee met at du Cann's home, amidst a good deal of press attention.

[4] That was soon followed by a more public meeting of the executive at du Cann's offices at Keyser Ullman, on Milk Street, where it was decided that the committee would press Heath to hold a leadership election.

The devastating collapse of the banking boom had swept up du Cann's firm, Keyser Ullman, in its path.

This released key support for Margaret Thatcher, especially as another potential right-wing candidate, Keith Joseph, withdrew from any leadership attempt following a series of controversial speeches on social policy.

Du Cann retired from the House of Commons in 1987, selling his home Cothay Manor in 1993 and returning to live in London.